Ningbo, a vice-provincial city in Zhejiang Province, is renowned for its rich collection of ancient and modern books and its strategic port connecting to the world. Historically, it was a starting point of the Tang Dynasty’s Maritime Silk Road and remains a modern “Eastern Port”. The Ningbo Olympic Sports Center is situated in Hongtang Street, Jiangbei District, covering a total land area of 54.78 hectares with approximately 186,500 square meters of construction space.
The center is located adjacent to the Yongjiang River, harmoniously blending with the city’s natural landscape.
The project’s design concept is inspired by “sailboats reflecting blue waves and butterflies dancing by the river”. As Ningbo’s urban landscape expands northward along the Yaojiang River, this development marks a new chapter in the city’s evolution.
Serving as the launch area for the Yaojiang New Area and a key public space in Ningbo, the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center—designed under CCDI’s leadership—stands as a city landmark. It integrates competitive sports, leisure and fitness, business offices, exhibitions and performances, and gathering spaces, playing a pivotal role in the sustainable growth of the urban area.
△ Aerial view of the three buildings
The parametric facade reflects the architectural planning and design philosophy.
Interior design extends the architectural concept of “sailboats reflecting blue waves, butterflies dancing by the river” by integrating the building’s interior spaces. The goal is to create an international Olympic sports center infused with Ningbo’s unique cultural identity.
The design strategically uses color to define the venues: vibrant orange for the gymnasium, calming blue for the swimming pool, and refreshing green for the national fitness center. These distinct color palettes enhance each venue’s unique character and atmosphere.
01 Sports Center
Vibrant Orange Energizes the Space
△ Outdoor view of the Sports Center
The gymnasium employs a lively orange color scheme to invigorate the competition atmosphere. This passionate and dynamic palette brings boundless energy to the space, allowing spectators to immediately feel the excitement upon entering. Design elements draw inspiration from the “Blue Wave Sailing Ship,” with interior spaces echoing the shape of a ship’s keel, creating architectural harmony.
△ Vibrant orange flows through the sports hall’s space
△ Interior design elements inspired by the cabin keel
The audience lounge features wood-grained aluminum square tubes and metal mesh, creating a rhythmic, layered space that artfully conceals mechanical and electrical equipment. The floor uses integrated, wear-resistant gray grinding stones, contributing to a grand and dynamic environment.
△ The second and fourth-floor audience lounges consistently feature orange as the main color scheme.
The competition hall serves as the arena’s core, accommodating approximately 12,000 cushioned seats to support large-scale international events.
The combination of orange and gray-white seats injects dynamic energy into the venue.
Seating is treated with a gradient of orange and white, intensifying towards the front of the stands and surrounding areas. This color scheme is complemented by gray perforated sound-absorbing aluminum panel walls and multifunctional lighting, which guide the audience’s attention through light and color.
Under nighttime lighting, the atmosphere is vibrant and captivating.
Support spaces such as the VIP lobby, VIP lounge, press conference hall, and restrooms maintain the simple, bright design of the main arena. The sports hall’s theme color guides visitor flow while fulfilling all functional requirements.
△ VIP lounge rendering
△ News Release Hall rendering
02 Swimming Pool
Calming Blue Eases Competition Stress
△ Outdoor view of the Swimming Pool
The swimming pool’s blue theme blends fresh blue hues with the shimmering reflections of light and water, creating an extremely relaxed and soothing atmosphere. This tranquil environment helps athletes regulate their muscles and alleviate competition-induced stress.
△ Theme colors of the swimming pools are inspired by water elements
△ Fully equipped to accommodate various aquatic competitions
The facility houses two standard 50m × 25m swimming pools, one 25m × 25m diving pool, and one 25m × 10m short pool, all built to meet international competition standards.
The ceiling’s sailboat-inspired design sways gently above the blue pool.
The competition hall’s walls are clad with gray perforated sound-absorbing aluminum panels, offering excellent acoustic performance. The ceiling, shaped like waves and sails, features aluminum circular panels that conceal mechanical and electrical systems. These flowing, sequential lines echo the building’s exterior form, creating a rich spatial hierarchy under bright lighting.
△ The swimming pool competition hall ceiling exudes vibrancy
The walls and ceilings of the audience lounge are constructed with easy-to-maintain aluminum square tubes, while the floor features large gray grinding stones arranged in a coordinated pattern. This seamless integration creates a simple, bright, elegant, and fresh atmosphere that complements the staggered facade.
△ Swimming pool VIP lobby
The VIP lobby, VIP lounge, press conference hall, and restroom areas adopt blue hues that echo the pool’s theme, effectively guiding visitor flow. The interior design combines international standards with full functionality and comfort.
03 Comprehensive Training Hall
Refreshing Green Invites Relaxation
△ Outdoor view of the Comprehensive Training Hall
The comprehensive training hall spans four levels and includes courts for badminton, table tennis, tennis, basketball, shooting, and other sports. It provides a versatile sports space that meets national competition standards while serving as a popular fitness destination.
△ Comprehensive training hall with green-themed interiors
The design focuses on green tones and incorporates sound-absorbing, soundproofing, and silencing materials to optimize acoustics, allowing for clear communication even in noisy environments.
△ Badminton training area
The badminton and tennis courts feature sleek, dynamic shapes tailored to the venues. Walls are adorned with expanses of dark and light green hues, complemented by block patterns intertwined with square chandeliers on the ceiling, creating a rich visual hierarchy and a comfortable ambiance.
△ Shooting Hall
The interior design of the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center embraces international design standards with a clean and sophisticated style, using bright, lively colors throughout the space. It seamlessly integrates sports, fitness, performance, entertainment, leisure, commercial, and cultural functions, creating a venue suitable for national and international competitions.
This multifaceted complex is envisioned as an international landmark sports center, a highly diverse urban complex, and a driving force that promotes urban development and enhances the city’s image.
△ Third floor plan of the Sports Hall
△ Elevation view of the Sports Center
Project Information
Project Name: Interior Design of Ningbo Olympic Sports Center
Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Total Construction Area: 186,500 square meters
Interior Design Area: 72,000 square meters
Design and Completion Period: August 2014 to October 2019
Architectural Design Team: CCDI Huili Design Center
Interior Design Team: CCDI Smart Interior Design
Project Lead Interior Designer: Li Zhiyu
Interior Designers: Pu Yuzhen, Xue Jun, Li Haitao, Cui Dina, Wang Jun, Yang Yanling, Li Zhenxing, Wang Xiaoxia
Main Materials: PVC rubber sports flooring, aluminum panels, integrated grinding stone flooring, wood-grain aluminum square tubes, textured paint, metal mesh
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